I got this second-hand on vinyl (during a short-lived vinyl binge I had in 2002) from Forever Changes on Ecclesall Road, one of the few Sheffield record shops I haven't gone on about much, yet. One of those places where at least some of the staff can probably quote you the catalogue numbers of most of the releases on Sarah Records.
Half Man Half Biscuit were irresistible when they first did Trumpton Riots and Careful with that Spliff, Eugene. But it took me 17 years to buy one of their records because the jokes are only funny the first few times — though the likes of Andy Kershaw seem to find the very idea of Joy Division Oven Gloves (on their latest album) endlessly amusing — and what's left after the jokes doesn't add up to an awful lot.
Much of the fun comes from just the titles: We Built This Village on a Trad. Arr. Tune, I Hate Nerys Hughes, Dickie Davies Eyes, Achtung Bono, She's in Broadstairs, Trouble over Bridgwater, Twenty Four Hour Garage People, Eno Collaboration (Remix).
Andy Kershaw says that Half Man Half Biscuit are folk music, and I agree with that, though it's music for a particular set of folk (pop culture junkies of our generation) who get the knowing in-jokes. A good thing to put on after a heavy Friday night session in the pub.
MusicBrainz entry for this album |
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